Rubber heel



pril 15, 1947. A. MONTI 2,418,896

l RUBBER HEEL Filed April 28, 1945 JLO 8 6 Y /12 l 18 l f6 20 1A f4 IN VEN TOR.

` a BY M Patented Apr. 15, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUBBER HEEL Albert Monti, Medford, Mass.

Application April 28, 1945, Serial No. 590,759

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to .the construction of heels,particularly rubber, synthetic rubber or composition heeis which may beapplied to shoes or more particularly to rubber boots. 4The presentinvention is `an improvement on my earlier filed copending application,Serial No. 538,269, led June 1, 1944.

As explained in my prior application, the heel wears more rapidly insome portions, particularly at the back of the heel, than at other partsof the heel. The applicant has overcome this difficulty by the use of aheel with a center cylindrical in sert which normally extends slightlyabove the surface oi the heel perhaps no more than one-six teenth of aninch and which is adapted to turn while the wearer is walking on theshoe.

In my prior appli-cation above mentioned, provision was made forpermitting the heel to turn. However, particularly when such a heel isapplied to the rubber boot for use in water under certain circumstancesof use, there is less tendency for the heel insert to turn of its ownaccord. In the present arrangement, however, this difficulty is overcomeby using the proper elements which reduce the friction between theinsert and the heel base so that the heel insert will readily turn evenunder uniform pressure of soit material such as, for instance, mud inwhich boots may be used.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the .arrangementdescribed herein is particularly useful in combination with a rubberboot where the heel must at all times be sealed and nails, spikes orother joining members cannot readily be used to attach the heel to theboot.

Further advantages of the present invention will more readily appearfrom the construction and details of the invention as set forth in thespecication below in connection with the drawings illustrating anembodiment of the same in which:

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the heel and boot with the heelindicated in section and Figure 2 shows a plane View of the heel lookingupward as referred to Figure 1.

In the arrangement shown in the gures, the boot I has the heel IIvulcanized to it along the joining base I2. The heel II is recessed witha cylindrically shaped recess I3 which, as indicated in Figures 1 and 2,is located toward the back of the heel, providing a comparatively thinrear wall heel portion as indicated at I4. The recess I3, which iscylindrical in shape, may be approximately one-fourth of an inch thick,sufcient to extend just above the bottom surface I5 of the heel which isuniform and fiat over its whole surface. Within the cylindrical recessI3 there is normally positioned the Cylindrical insert 3 which fitssufficiently freely so that it does not bind on the sidesandmay,therefore, turn. The cylindrical insert is attached to the baseby means of a pivot joint which will permit it to turn easily when worn.This is accomplished by moulding in the base II of the heel a stud Ewhich is provided with an enlarged projecting flange 8 imbedded in theheel. The stud 6 projects slightly above the inner surface I I of therecess as indicated at I6. A shoulder I8 and a neck section I9 is formedas an integral part of the exposed end of the stud 6. The stud is tappedand threaded in a central recess 2l) to receive the machine screw 4which is provided with a large head 5 which holds the insert 3 in place,as will be ex,- plained. The insert 3 has also moulded into it a collaror bushing l, the internal diameter of which is such that the bushingrits freely over the neck I9 to permit it to turn. The bushing I isanchored in the insert 3 by an extending flange or spider 2 whichanchors the bushing rmly in the insert concentric with the insertitself. The head of the machine screw 4 is of such diameter that itcovers overthe end of the bushing and may be tightened through thebottom hole 24 in the lower face 25 of the insert 3.

' In the assembly of the heel the insert 3 is brought down over it withthe bushing tting over the neck I9 and the end of the bushing bearingagainst the shoulder I8. The machine screw 4 is put on tightly so thatthe end of the bushing I will be brought against the shoulder it. Thestud 6 is not made to project beyond the surface H so that the innersurface 26 of the insert 3 is brought ush with the surface I'I, the endof the bushing I still resting and bearing 0n the face I8 of the stud.

Iclaim:

1. In combination with a shoe having a rubber heel, the face of which iscircularly recessed at the back of the heel forming a thin back wall, acylindrical rubber insert adapted to t for free rotation in the recessof the heel and project slightly below the surface of the heel, saidheel having molded therein concentric with the recess a xed metallicstud having a circular shoulder vand a terminating neck portionprojecting beyond 3 bushing bearing against the face of said shoulderand a screw having a large head bearing against the exposed end of thebushing and threaded concentrically into said stud.

2. In combination with a shoe having a rubber 5 heel, the face of whichis ciroulariy recessed at the back of the heel forming a thin back Wall,a cylindrical rubber insert adapted to fit for free rotation in therecess of the heel and project slightly below the surface of the heel,said heel having molded therein concentric with lthe recess y a fixedmetallic stud having a circular projecting 10 made to engage saidprojecting portion.

ALBERT MONTI.

